Lovat Hotel will reopen after bombshell closure

PERTH: Holiday giant Best Western said new management poised to take over

A Perth hotel which shut suddenly following a cash flow crisis is getting ready to reopen.

Holiday giant Best Western confirmed new management is poised to take over the running of the popular Lovat Hotel.

The announcement comes as former boss Stuart Shearer’s debt-ridden business goes into liquidation.

Matt Henderson of Johnston Carmichael has been appointed to oversee the firm SLE Enterprises amid speculation Mr Shearer has gone into hiding overseas.

The 30-bedroom hotel shut unexpectedly on January 25 and all 47 employees were made redundant. Anyone who is owed money by SLE Enterprises has been urged to contact the liquidators.

A crisis-hit Perth hotel which closed without warning is about to reopen, Best Western has revealed.

General manager Stuart Shearer has been accused of going into hiding after shutting down the city’s Lovat Hotel, forcing nearly 50 people out of work and throwing couples’ wedding plans into disarray.

Tourism giant Best Western, which promotes the three-star establishment, has confirmed the venue will soon re-open after liquidators took control of Mr Shearer’s business SLE Enterprises.

Anyone left out of pocket has been advised to contact Johnston Carmichael.

The firm’s restructuring partner Matt Henderson said: “SLE Enterprises has encountered cashflow difficulties during the past year and we are now dealing with creditors’ claims following the Creditor’s voluntary liquidation.

“We are aware that the time between Christmas and Easter is widely recognised within the hotel industry as a difficult trading period and SLE Enterprises arrived at a point where it could no longer continue to operate.”

A Best Western spokeswoman added: “We have been informed by the owners that the Lovat hotel has appointed a liquidator and the owners hope to reopen shortly under new management.

“Anyone who believes they are owed money should contact the liquidator, however we have been advised that the liquidator cannot help with questions about future bookings.”

Staff who turned up for work on January 25 were handed a short note, advising: “Any member of staff in possession of this letter has been made redundant with immediate effect.”

However, other staff never received the letter and were left in the dark about their employment status.

Mr Shearer, who has three failed businesses under his belt, has never returned calls or emails from angry staff, guests and media.

It is understood his company owed money to brewery Tennents, among others.

The drinks firm has declined to comment.